A closer look at the Ed Rachal Foundation, the new owner of Corpus Christi's 'Castle House'

It was built in 1937 and belonged to philanthropist and socialite Ada Wilson. The Ed Rachal Foundation has recently purchased it and plans to replace it with high-end townhomes.
Chris Ramirez/Caller-Times

The tan waterfronthome, fashioned with a conic turret reminiscent of a "Lord of the Rings" backdrop has long been known by locals as the 'castle house' on Ocean Drive. It's afive-bedroom, 6,200-square-foot home.The home was built in 1937 and belonged tophilanthropist AdaLaverne Rogers Wilson.(Photo: Courtney Sacco/Caller-Times)

The organization describes itself on its website as a foundation that is guided by a mission of benefiting "charitable, scientific, literary or educational purposes in the state of Texas."

Its roots

It was established by the last will and testament of the Ed Rachal, a rancher from Falfurrias.

Foundation’s benefactor

In his will dated June 2, 1964, the late Ed Rachal decreed that his estate be used to establish a foundation benefiting “charitable, scientific, literary or educational purposes within the State of Texas.” It was established July 29, 1965, after the deaths of Rachal and his wife, Louise.

Rachal's name is on the public library in Falurrias.

Who runs it

It is governed by a board of directors:

David L. Hoyer, President

Kenneth W. Trawick, Vice President

E. Richard Schendel, Treasurer

John J. Johnson, Assistant Treasurer

Paul D. Altheide, Secretary

Kenneth L. Kellar, Board Member

Its money, who it helps

The foundation, like all nonprofits, must disclose their revenue receipts and expenses at the end of the year in 990 tax forms.

The Ed Rachal Foundation's 990s show it derives most of its revenues from oil and gas royalties. Its revenues in 2015, the most updated record the Caller-Times could find, totaled $52.3 million, and its total market value was $436.7 million.

Philanthropist and socialite Ada Wilson once owned this home on Ocean Drive at Doddridge dubbed the 'castle house' because of its turret tower.Wilson added the turret after the death of her husband, oil man Sam Wilson. She learned after he died in 1957 that he was descended from royalty, anddecided to construct the tower to give the home a regal, castle-like appearance.(Photo: Caller-Times file)

That year it gave $16 million in gifts, contributions and grants to a variety of organizations and charities, including schools, scholarship programs and health organizations.

Driscoll Children’s Hospital, the South Texas Lighthouse for the Blind, the Salvation Army and the American Heart Association in Austin are among its largest recipients.

The foundation has contributed more than $23 million to Texas A&M University in College Station over the years, accounting for roughly a third of its total distributions the past five decades.